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A bishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSSS) has told the warring parties 'not cause pain to citizens' but to continue with negotiations to bring peace.

While giving his opening remarks at Immanuel Cathedral, Bishop Hillary Luate Adeba of Yei diocese also called on the citizens not to miss the opportunity of ending the war. He was speaking at the start of a five-day conference for Young Christian Families Association.

A bishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSSS) has told the warring parties 'not cause pain to citizens' but to continue with negotiations to bring peace.

While giving his opening remarks at Immanuel Cathedral, Bishop Hillary Luate Adeba of Yei diocese also called on the citizens not to miss the opportunity of ending the war. He was speaking at the start of a five-day conference for Young Christian Families Association.

“This conference should send a message to all South Sudanese to stop the war, and for peace talks to go on in Addis Ababa,” he told the conference, adding that war only brings suffering which God rejects.

“Let us not cause pain to others because God does not favour those who make others to suffer,” he added.

He said he hoped that the conference will impact positively in the lives of Christians to live a godly life and turn away from evil practices.

Bishop Hillary said the conference aimed at highlighting the plight facing women in life, so as to inform governments and men to respect the rights of women and girls by living a life that pleases God.

“This conference should begin to educate the communities of our people about the rights of women and young girls. And the only way to address these challenges must be through learning how to live godly lives in a world that is full of evil,” he said.

He noted that women and children are the first victims in any conflict as well as in the hands of alcoholic husbands.

The conference runs under the theme from a reading from Titus 2:11-14:

“For the Grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. While we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our Great God and saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are His very own; eager to do what is good”.

It is expected to conclude at the start of next month.

The bishop’s message comes at a time when what is expected to be the final phase of the South Sudan peace talks is going in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Many South Sudanese are hopeful that finally peace will be restored.

At the same time, the Daily Nation in Kenya has said that President Salva Kiir has ruled out allowing his former vice president Dr. Riek Machar to become his deputy again. In an interview in Juba, Kiir is said to have said his former deputy can only become second vice president or non-executive prime minister.

It is hoped that such stances taken by either of the parties to the conflict will not jeopardise the current peace talks. The parties have only up to 5th March to strike a peace deal. Failure to do that may have serious repercussions from regional leaders and the international community.

The US early this week threatened to issue new sanctions against individuals in South Sudan seen to be hindering the peace process.